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NTSB Report

March 11, 2005 · Cessna 172A · N4682G

Emigrant Gap, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Emigrant Gap, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172A
Tail Number
N4682G
Operator
West Valley Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX05CA111

The airplane nosed over during a touch-and-go landing on a snow covered runway. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent when the airplane came to rest inverted. Upon arrival in the airport vicinity, the pilot flew over the airport three times. He noted that one end of the runway was visible and that the remaining 3/4 of the runway was covered in snow. Visually, the snow did not appear to be of any great depth. Based on the reported winds, the pilot decided to perform a touch-and-go on the snow-covered portion of the runway. As the airplane touched down, the landing gear entered the snow and the airplane nosed-over. The pilot noted no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The Airport Facility Directory Southwest (AFD/SW) contains the following entry, in part, for the accident airport: "CLOSED winters due to snow." The pilot reported that he reviewed the AFD/SW, but did not read the "Remarks" section.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his selection of an unsuitable landing area, resulting in an encounter with a snow-covered runway.

Full Narrative

On March 11, 2005, at 1215 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172A, N4682G, nosed over and came to rest inverted on a snow covered runway at Blue Canyon-Nyack Airport, Emigrant Gap, California. West Valley Flying Club was operating the privately owned airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot departed from San Carlos Airport, San Carlos, California, at 1047 for the personal cross-country flight. According to the pilot, he planned a flight from San Carlos to Emigrant Gap using an electronic flight planner. At 0815, on the morning of the accident, the pilot checked DUATS and then called Rancho Murrieta Flight Service Station (FSS) and requested a standard weather briefing. The pilot departed and while en route to his destination, called Flight Watch to file a pilot report (PIREP) and to receive an additional weather briefing. Upon arriving in the airport vicinity, the pilot circled the airport three times. He noted that the runway 33 numbers were visible and that the remaining 3/4 of the runway was covered in snow. Visually, the snow did not appear to be of any great depth. Based on the reported winds, the pilot decided to perform a touch-and-go takeoff and landing on runway 15. As the airplane touched down, the landing gear entered the snow and the airplane nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted in the snow; the vertical stablizer and rudder were bent. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. The Airport Facility Directory Southwest (AFD/SW) contains the following entry, in part, for Emigrant Gap, California: "CLOSED winters due to snow." In a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that he reviewed the AFD/SW but did not read the "Remarks" section of the Emigrant Gap entry.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 PST
Nearest AirportBlue Canyon - Nyack Airport (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length3300 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172A
Tail NumberN4682G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWest Valley Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.23 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data